RIYADH — The Council of Ministers on Tuesday emphasized that the precautionary measures that the Kingdom has taken against Coronavirus on a temporarily basis is to ensure maximum safety of citizens, expatriates as well as pilgrims and visitors. "The measures were taken in order to complement the efforts aimed at providing the utmost protection to the safety of citizens, residents and all those coming to the Kingdom's territories to perform Umrah, visiting the Prophet's Mosque or for tourism," the Council said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chaired the weekly session of the Cabinet at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam Bin Saad said in a statement following the session that the Cabinet hailed the efforts made by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies to contain the virus, follow up on any economic repercussions and make the necessary arrangements to deal with it. The Council noted that the Kingdom has taken precautionary measures in line with the recommendations of the concerned health authorities applying the highest precautionary standards and taking preventive measures to stop its spread locally and globally. It also pledged the Kingdom's support for all international measures taken to rein in the spread of this virus. Dr. Essam stated that the Council also highlighted the emphasis laid by the meeting of Arab Health Ministers Council, held recently in Cairo, to enhance cooperation between Arab countries to implement joint measures to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus, and to support countries affected by the virus in the event of discovering new cases. The Cairo meeting stressed the need to make the best use of activating risk assessment systems and approaches at the level of Arab countries, and to continue implementing preventive measures in line with the guidelines of World Health Organization. The Council noted that the recent royal decrees that included restructuring of the Cabinet come within the framework of reforms and changes aimed at developing the country and ensuring welfare of citizens in all regions of the Kingdom in accordance with the Vision 2030, and providing everything that contributes to achieving their aspirations. It greeted the new ministers and wished them every success. The Cabinet renewed the Kingdom's call to the international community and the Human Rights Council (HRC) to move quickly to ensure the protection of the Palestinian people from violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces. Addressing the UNHRC session, the Kingdom stressed the need to oblige Israel to respect international law and implement relevant international resolutions. It also affirmed continued support to the Palestinian people at all levels. Referring to the activities of the 2nd Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, which was organized by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Cabinet emphasized that the Kingdom's stance is to provide those affected by wars and disasters around the world with relief and humanitarian aid, as it is keen to establish international peace and security through programs and initiatives leading to support sustainable development and the participation of the international community through the United Nations and its various agencies to achieve development goals. Dr. Essam said the Cabinet approved a security cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and India. It also endorsed a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Saudi Arabia and India in the field of combating illegal traffic and smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors. The Cabinet authorized the Attorney General or his deputy to discuss and sign with the concerned authorities in other countries regarding a draft memorandum of cooperation in the field of combating indigenous crimes, terrorism, its financing and money laundering between the Saudi Public Prosecution and the concerned authorities in other countries.
